Closure device for containers

ABSTRACT

A container closure formed by a pair of panels in side-by-side relationship, a rigid projection on one of the panels and a clip adapted to cooperate with the ridge and panels to hold the panels in closed position with the rigid projection tending to prevent withdrawal of the clip.

United States Patent Blunsdon [4 1 Aug. 1, 1972 [54] CLOSURE DEVICE FOR CONTAINERS 2,533,539 12/1950 Vivian ..229/65 72 Inventor: R L. Bl nsdon H m 0 1,915,027 6/1933 Meyer-Jagenberg ..229/65 tam, Canada 3 2,124,409 7/1938 Andrews ..229/47 [73] Assignee: Continental Can Company of F R PA T 0R A PLICATIONS Limmd 423,018 1/1947 Italy ..229/65 Canada [22] Filed: April 1, 1970 Primary Examiner-George E. Lowrance Assistant ExaminerStephen Marcus [21] Appl. 190.. 24,616 Attorney man swabgy [52] US. Cl ..229/65, 150/3, 229/17 [57] ABSTRACT 2; A container closure formed by a pair of panels in sideby-side relationship, a rigid projection on one of the panels and a clip adapted to cooperate with the ridge [56] References Cited and panels to hold the panels in closed position with UNITED STATES PATENTS the rigid projection tending to prevent withdrawal of th 1' 3,463,380 8/1969 Cooperstein ..229/47 e c 2,336,503 12/1943 Ringler ..229/65 6 Claims, 5 Drawing figures PATENTEDAUB 1 I972 INVEATOR Ronald L. BLUNSDON CLOSURE DEVICE FOR CONTAINERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a container closure. More particularly the present invention relates to a clip-type closure for a gable topped container.

2. Description of Prior Art Conventionally, gable topped containers are closed and 46. The flap 60 terminates in a free edge 61 substantially parallel to the fold line 62.

A relatively rigid projection 64 which preferably forms an elongated ridge extends substantially longitudinally of and is secured to the outer surface of the panel 48. This projection 64 has a surface 66 on its side remote from the free edge of the carton, which face 66 is spaced from the free edge of panel 48 and from the fold line 44 and preferably extends substantially paraleither by heat sealing through th lti l b d lel thereto. The face.66 is adapted to cooperate with thickness at the top of the container or by stapling when a liquid tight closure is not required. Staple closures are not generally satisfactory for many purposes, particularly since they do not provide a convenient means for opening of the container, nor is there a convenient means for applying the staple.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is thus the main object of the present invention to provide a new closing system that facilitates closing and reopening of containers.

Broadly, the present invention relates to a carton closure formed by a pair of panels, an elongated rigid projection extending substantially longitudinally of one of said panels and latching means adapted to cooperate with said rigid projection and said panels to hold said panels closed. The latching means preferably is in the form of a substantially U-shaped clip which overlies the panels and has means for cooperation with said latching means to lock said clip in position and maintain the carton closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Further features, objects and advantages will be evident from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a container incorporating the latching means of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a clip adapted to cooperate with the latching means to close the container;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a closed container;

F IG.,4 is a section along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 but showing a slightly modified arrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in the drawings, the illustrated carton comprises a body section 12 having a conventional closure formed by side panels 14 and 16 and gusset-forming panels 18, 20 and 22 at opposite ends of the carton. These panels l4, l6, 18, 20 and 22 are interconnected by fold lines 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 and 38. The panels 14 and I6 and panel 20 are connected to the body portion 12 by fold lines 40 and 42 respectively (only one of each shown).

Connected to the panels 14 and 16 by fold lines 44 and 46, substantially parallel to the fold line 40, are

accompanying drawings, in

ridge-forming panels 48 and 50. Similarly, inner ridgeforming panels 52 and 54 are connected to the panels l8 and 22 by fold line 56 and 57 respectively and are means on the latching means which takes the form of a closure clip 68 (see FIG. 2) to hold the carton closed as will be described hereinbelow. In the illustrated arrangement, the ridge 64 only extends part way along the panel 48, but in some cases, it may extend the full length of the panel i.e. from fold line 24 to fold line 38.

In the illustrated embodiment, the projection 64 is in the form of an elongated ridge. Preferably, the projection or ridge 64 is formed on the carton by means of a plastic bead adhered to the outer surface of the panel 48.

The clip 68 is preferably a spring clip having a suitable U-shaped body with a pair of legs 70 and 72, each of which terminates in an inwardly directed flange 74 and 76 respectively. These flanges 74 and 76 preferably extend at an angle of less than to their respective legs 70 and 72 so that they overhang their respective legs to facilitate sliding same down over the top ridge of the container when locking the container closed. With a molded plastic clip, there need be no overhang. The outward face of the flanges may simply be sloped so that they tend to wedge the clip 68 open when the clip is pushed onto the container. Preferably, the clip will be substantiallysymmetrical so that it need not be oriented for application to the carton i.e. there will always be a flange in positionto engage the projection 64. However, one of the flanges 74 or 76 may be deleted. In the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 the flange 76 could be deleted. The legs 70 and 72 of the clip 68 confine the closure panels 48 and 50 and the flap 60 in position when the carton is latched closed. In the illustrated arrangement, the clip is about the same length as the ridge 64, obviously it may be slightly larger or shorter than the ridge and may even extend the full length of the panels 48. In the latter case, the ridge 64 will preferably extend the full length of panel 48 The clip 68 may be made of any suitable material eg of steel or suitable synthetic plastic having the required degree of resilience.

To close the carton I0, the top is closed in the conventional manner by moving the panels 20 inwardly and downwardly by bending along the fold lines 26, 28 and 42 to move the panels into the position shown in FIG. 3, wherein the panels 52 and 54 are in face-to-face relationship and the panels 48 and 50 are spaced apart by the panels 52 and 54 and may be substantially parallel to each other. The flap 60, if it is provided, is folded over the panel 48 into a position substantially in faceto-face relationship therewith. The projection 64 may either be located under the flap 60, as shown in FIG. 4, or slightly below the free edge 61 of the flap 60, as shown in FIG. 5. In the former case, the flap 60 does not quite lie inface-to-face relationship with the panel 48, while in the latter case the flap 60 and panel 48 may be in face-to-face relationship.

In either of the cases illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the flange 74 is advanced to hook about the ridge or projection 64 and into a position wherein the flange either engages or will engage the face 66 of the projection 64 upon attempted upward withdrawal of the clip.

The clip may be pushed down directly over the projection 64 and the legs sprung apart by the wedging action of the flap 60 and panel 50 acting on the flanges 74, 76 to snap into position below the face 66. Alternatively, the U-shaped clip 68 may be positioned at the end of the closure ridge formed by the panels 48, 50 and flap 60 and slid laterally into position with the flanges 74 or 76 underlying the face 66 of the projection 64. In either case the clip is prevented from withdrawal axially of the carton by the projection 64 and the legs 70 and 72 hold the panels 48 and 50 and flap 60 in closed position.

To open the carton, it is only necessary to slide the clip 68 laterally beyond the projection 64 and lift same off or simply slide it laterally off the edge of the container.

Having described the present invention, modifications will be evident to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

lclaim:

1. In a container, a pair of panels each having a free edge, a rigid projection extending substantially longitudinally of and formed on the outer surface of one of projection is positioned between said flap and said one panel, a substantially U-shaped resilient clip having a pair of legs embracing said pair of panels and flap, at least one of said legs terminating in an inwardly directed flange, said flange being urged by said resilient leg to engage said latching face.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rigid projection is an elongated bead of plastic material adhered to said outer surface remote from the free edge of said one panel.

3. A container as defined in claim 1, wherein said rigid projection extends substantially the full length of said one panel.

4. In a container, a pair of panels each having a free edge, a rigid projection extending substantially longitudinally of and formed on the outer surface of one of said panels remote from the free edge of said one panel, said rigid projection having a latching face substantially parallel to said free edge, a flap foldably connected to the other of said two panels and folded into overlying relationship with said one panel and wherein said rigid projection is positioned adjacent the free edge of said flap, a substantially U-shaped resilient clip having a pair of legs embracing said pair of panels and flap, at least one of said legs terminating in an inwardly directed flange, said flange being urged by said resilient leg to engage said latching face.

5. A container as claimed in claim 4, wherein said rigid projection is an elongated bead of plastic material adhered to said outer surface remote from the free ed eofsaido e anel.

A contai ne r as defined in claim 4 wherein said rigid projection extends substantially the full length of said one panel. 

1. In a container, a pair of panels each having a free edge, a rigid projection extending substantially longitudinally of and formed on the outer surface of one of said panels remote from the free edge of said one panel, said rigid projection having a latching face substantially parallel to said free edge, a flap foldably connected to the other of said two panels and folded into overlying relationship with said one panel and wherein said rigid projection is positioned between said flap and said one panel, a substantially U-shaped resilient clip having a pair of legs embracing said pair of panels and flap, at least one of said legs terminating in an inwardly directed flange, said flange being urged by said resilient leg to engage said latching face.
 2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rigid projection is an elongated bead of plastic material adhered to said outer surface remote from the free edge of said one panel.
 3. A container as defined in claim 1, wherein said rigid projection extends substantially the full length of said one panel.
 4. In a container, a pair of panels each having a free edge, a rigid projection extending substantially longitudinally of and formed on the outer surface of one of said panels remote from the free edge of said one panel, said rigid projection having a latching face substantially parallel to said free edge, a flap foldably connected to the other of said two panels and folded into overlying relationship with said one panel and wherein said rigid projection is positioned adjacent the free edge of said flap, a substantially U-shaped resilient clip having a pair of legs embracing said pair of panels and flap, at least one of said legs terminating in an inwardly directed flange, said flange being urged by said resilient leg to engage said latching face.
 5. A container as claimed in claim 4, wherein said rigid projection is an elongated bead of plastic material adhered to said outer surface remote from the free edge of said one panel.
 6. A container as defined in claim 4 wherein said rigid projection extends substantially the full length of said one panel. 